WWQ Update and Dog Tag Clad Heroes

Update on our Wounded Warrior

I was delighted and felt very privileged  to receive this update on one of our special Wounded Warriors this weekend.

Hi Jan-Maree, I know you don't expect photos of all your quilts' locations but I took this picture of the quilt at a different hospital where my husband has gone for surgery.  We had a new bunch of nurses that we could explain its origins and the stuff that "Aussie Hero Quilts" does.

I was telling his physiotherapist about you guys and she said her mother, who is part of a group - rotary or something else - but she said that someone came to speak at her group about sending quilts and laundry bags.  A small world.

Small world indeed - that must have been the talk I gave to the Rotary Club recently.  You just never know who are you are going to reach when you talk about Aussie Heroes!

They are right.  I do not expect photos of where ever the quilts go, but I LOVE getting them.  I am so pleased that the size seems to be just right for what it is needed for.  It is just so good to see that the quilt is serving its purpose, not only to cover and warm, but also to raise the spirits.   I never thought about our Wounded Warriors spreading the word, but I am so touched that they do.  I know, once again, I can say that all of the Aussie Hero Friends will be sending prayers or good wishes their way.

Proof that Aussie Heroes don't wear capes they wear dog tags

This fellow will blush (I know this as he tells me I have already made him blush!) when I say this but this email is one of my favourite thank you messages so far.  This relates to a quilt that Liz H from WA sent over.

The quilt arrived today. What a fantastic quilt, I am speechless to the quality, to call it a scrap quilt just does not do it justice.

I hope you don't mind but I gave it to one of my soldiers that is just about to go out to one of the patrol bases and he has only a summer weight sleeping bag. He certainly needs it more than I at the moment, night temperatures are getting down to 5 deg and below now.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart, what you ladies are doing is fantastic. Please pass on my gratitude to them all.

Keep safe and bless you all

What a gorgeous, selfless man.  Could we not do with more like him in this county! 
Before you ask, I headed to the post office yesterday morning with a second quilt for this Hero.  There is just enough time to get one to him.

Seriously - who would head over to winter in Afghanistan with only a summer weight sleeping bag and why are we not issuing these blokes with appropriate gear - why do they have to provide it?

Finally, speaking as a MUM, guys if you are heading over in the near future please ask around and find out what you need and take the right gear!  Our quilts are good but they are no match for the snow and the cold that you will experience over there!

Only a very few items of the loads that we have sent to HMAS ANZAC have made it through so far.  Karen B received a thoughtful hand written thank you letter from this young man and I have type up part to share with you.

I would like to thank you for taking time to make a laundry bag and pillowcase that I received after our last port visit.  You probably do not realize but to receive gifts like this lifts morale and makes one feel appreciated in the past that we are doing under hazardous conditions.
Once again, thank you 

Did you know it is actually easier to get mail to those in Afghanistan that it is to those on HMAS ANZAC?  A very small mail delivery made it in mid October, another was due around ten days later and it was supposed to be a big one, but it didn't happen, probably because they were too busy keeping the shipping lanes free!  Now they have to wait till mid to late November!  I guess they are used to it but I am not sure I would be so patient!
Please be encouraged, if you are working on an ANZAC quilt to get it in the mail sooner rather than later (if you can) so that it makes it to the ship.  I want to send the Chaplains quilt off in the next week or so and even though it is late October there is no way to know if it will make it in time for Christmas!

I have three more lovely thank you messages for tonight!  

First up these ladies combined to send a fabulous quilt (Liz), Eagles laundry bag (Marg) and care package to this lucky but very deserving fellow.

Hi Liz and Marg,

WOW.   I just received my quilt, laundry bag and care package just when I thought my day couldn't get any better.   It is such an awesome thing to receive not one, but two, items like that, especially when one has the West Coast Eagles' emblem beautifully embroidered.  They are truly sensational and I can't thank you both enough. The winter months are rapidly approaching and the quilt will be sure to get some serious use and laundry will now be high on the agenda.

What a shame (but lucky for me) that this is the last of the production. ( he is referring to Marg's FINAL Eagles laundry bag)  XXXXXXX (his mate who requested the laundry bag for him) looked after me well with the timing of this order that's for sure.

Thanks again guys, I really, really, really appreciate it.

Yours gratefully

The next two messages were posted on Facebook but I am sharing it here so that all you non-FB ladies can enjoy it too!  This first one relates to quilt that Nancy sent off from Kalgoorlie.

I just want to say thankyou,I received my quilt last week and so appreciate it.The difference you guys make to us over here means a lot. Keep up the good work and again thankyou.

This one relates to a quilt that Tracey sent off.

HI, Just letting you know that the quilt that you sent off for my Nans friends son was recieved. He is greatly appreciative and says a HUGE THANKYOU!!!!!! 
He will be taking a picture so I can post it on here.

:-)

Update on the Sydney AHQ dinner.
WOW!!!  I am so delighted by the number of you who are keen to attend, especially from interstate!   The date is set for Saturday the 8th of December.   
Email Caroline (aka Deputy Nut) if you can make it.  
carolinejgunn@gmail.com

BOMs
The end of the month is coming up.  I am dying to see what new BOM blocks have arrived at Naomi's this week - only another few days to go till the new November BOM block is released.  I think you are going to like it and Kylie has already picked the December BOM and I am sure you are going to like that one too!

Great work this last week everyone.   
Hope you have all had a great weekend.

Till next time.............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

An Auction and Oh My! BOMs Galore!

What a night last night!  I was made to feel very welcome by all from the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Rotary Club.  They said they enjoyed my presentation and I have actually been invited to speak to two other groups. YAY!    I took two quilts to show them and at the end of my presentation one of them suggested they auction a quilt to raise funds for us.  Their first choice was one of Tarnyia's gorgeous WWQs but I said I couldn't do that without speaking to the quilter first and it was made especially for a WWQ.  The other quilt I had with me was this one.

For the new followers this is a BOM from April.  Guess how much we got for it!

$200.  Not bad for an impromptu auction in a small room!  That will buy a lot of batting!

I hope you are all happy with that.  I am as we are just about to need to buy some more and with all the quilt tops we have here in Sydney we are going to need it sooner rather than later.

And now to BOMs!

Oh my goodness!  So many BOMs.  I don't have an accurate count but just this week so far I received 184!  Not sure what state my post office box will be in by the time I get home from my three days away.  Might have to call in there on the way home while my son is with me so that he can give me a hand to carry all the parcels.

Now I didn't have time to put ALL 178 blocks on the design wall to take photos but I put one or two of every combination up so you get the idea.  

Bernice from SA sent in these ones.  She apologized for sending only 48!    

These came from Jodie from WA (Go the Sandgropers of which I am one!)  Jodie sent in 64!

Finally Tarnyia sent over another 64!  Another Sandgroper too I might add!

I can't wait till the weekend. I am going to start sorting these into groups for quilts.  I have to do the maths but I am thinking 32 to a quilt (maybe 40 depending on what size they are trimmed to).  Need to check but I expect 4 by 8 with borders will make the right size.  At the moment we will have enough blocks for about 8 quilts!

These three groups are going to look great together as will lots of the other ones I have received!

And finally.....a Thank you or two... 

First one for Chris

I received your quilt today, thank you so much. It is gorgeous and exactly what I was looking for !
I asked for something with animals and colourful :) So I got my wish....
Please accept my sincerest thanks for your quilt and hard work and thoughts. Let me assure you all that your deeds do not go unnoticed and I hear many conversation of people talking about their quilts/laundry bags and how much they love them !! 

Thank you once again, 

And then one for Jill

I would like to thank you for the quilt you made me, which arrived today! I absolutely love it, and the meaning behind it. The time and effort, and your kindness, is truly appreciated and I cannot thank you enough. This quilt will forever be special to me, and will remind me that there are people out there who were thinking of us and were so kind to give to someone they don't know.
Again, thank you so much. This gift means so much to me

One for Melissa

I would like to thank you for the laundry bag you made for me, it's awesome! I was very surprised to receive it, as I wasn't expecting it. I really appreciate the timeout you took to make it for me and will always remember your kindness. The bag will always have special meaning to me, especially since the making of it was a family affair.

And this from a Mum.....

I am getting so excited about the quilts being made for XXXXX and XXXXX. Am I right in thinking that I saw their laundry bags on a post a few days back- made by Jill? If I am, then I am amazed and I will tell you why! XXXXX is a XXXXX(name of town)  boy – he loves to fish when he comes home and spend time at the beach. The beach played a big part of his life growing up- and “his” bag(?) was the one with the fish all over it!

He will be turning 21 when he is still in Afghanistan and XXXXX has agreed to be co conspirator in helping me to throw him a surprise birthday celebration. I am so grateful that he will also be receiving a quilt. 

Thank you so much for all Aussie Hero Quilts are doing for our sons and daughters serving overseas,

Keep sewing ladies!

Till next time............keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Aussie Hero Quilts 101 Part 3

This is the reason that I changed this from a five part series to a six part series.  How could I forget the BOMs?

What is that you newbies are saying?  What on earth is a BOM?  Well it is not something to be scared of that is for sure.

For the uninitiated a BOM is a block of the month.

There are a number of Aussie Hero Friends who are novice quilters.  There are also a bunch of quilters who for whatever reason can't complete a whole quilt for Aussie Heroes but they still want to contribute.  I want AHQ to be as inclusive as possible so that anyone who wants to join in can in one way or another.  This is just another way people can contribute!  

Each month I introduce a simple block, complete with a tutorial, then anyone who is interested can make up one or more blocks and send them in - getting them into the mail by the end of the month.  l make them up into a simple quilt or quilts and will post the results.  You could also make a few extra blocks for yourselves.  If you are a beginner the completed Aussie hero Quilts will them give them an idea how to turn them into a quilt.

For the experienced quilters please don't be frustrated by the simplicity of the blocks - that is whole point and after all, sometimes  the simplest of blocks yield the most stunning quilts.

We started off in February with a simple nine patch block.   

We were sent a wonderfully diverse collection of blocks.

We received enough blocks to make five wonderful quilts.  This lot were sent up to Christine and she turned them into this cozy looking quilt.

This isn't a great photo but Sue made all these nine patches and they have gone to Darwin to Larissa who is working on completing the quilt around her study schedules.

The next three were completed here and quilted by Carol from Turramurra Quilters.  

 I sent these two (the red border and this yellow border) off to one of the chaplains to find a home for.  He is home now and I never heard if they arrived or not so I am hoping he was able to give them out before he left.  I am sure there is someone enjoying them on their bed now though. 

 This is the first BOM quilt that was completed.  It has blocks from lots of people, including some from two lovely girls in the States who regularly contribute!  Because so many people had contributed I figured it was the perfect choice to send when I was asked to send a quilt to the Major General.  

I didn't tell you about it before as I was hoping that we would get a repy but given that it was posted at the beginning of April and I still haven't heard anything about it I am just going to assume that it is there and that he is flat out- afterall, General's are busy people!  I thought you would like to know that we had been asked to send one to him and that the one that I sent was a joint effort.

The March block was the pinwheel.  

Again we received loads of blocks from all over.

This resulted in another of my favourite quilts and this was also sent to the Chaplain to find a home for.

Caroline has taken the leftover pinwheels and put them together with some of hers and this quilt is currently under construction!  Doesn't the green and gold just shout 

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

The BOM for April was the wonky cross - I think I took a few people out of their comfort zone with this one  (evil giggle!) but it is a fun block and I needed something really simple for April as everyone was busy finishing quilts to get them in the mail.  I think the result is a fun bright quilt.  I haven't been able to put this one together yet as I was waiting for the last few blocks to arrive in the mail.  

And now we come to the BOM for May.  This was Naomi's suggestion and I think it is going to lead to a gorgeous quilt or two.

  I think we will end up with one cozy country style quilt full of plaids and another brighter version.   I love it when you end up with two completely different looks from the same pattern. 

 I am not game to start putting one together till I get all the blocks and I know Pauline and Larissa are planning to send some.

You will see another gorgeous quilt made from the May BOM blocks in tomorrow night's post as it is already been completed by Pip but it is already a Quilt in Waiting - one of tomorrow night's topics!

  This is probably a good time to warn you that this months BOM will be published a couple of days late in order to complete the Aussie Heroes 101 Series.  I don't want to break your concentration by distracting you with thoughts of all the BOMs you are going to sew!

 Okay, now you can go and get your glass of wine and relax.  Class dismissed for the night but see you back here again, same time, same place tomorrow night!

Till next time.................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!